NFL Trade Rumors: Bucs trying to land a receiver

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are trying to trade for a veteran wide receiver, according to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora. He mentioned both San Francisco 49ers receiver Torrey Smith, who we talked about yesterday, and Chicago Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery as possible targets.

The Bucs lost Vincent Jackson to injured reserve and have a collection of inexperienced receivers to start opposite Mike Evans. Veteran Louis Murphy is set to return from an ACL injury, but suffered a setback just last week.

Smith is a speedy, deep receiver who was Joe Flacco’s primary target for a couple of years, but whose production has completely disappeared the last couple of years. That’s in part due to the quarterbacks he’s played with in San Francisco, but he’s clearly not a game-breaking receiver.

Jeffery would be a better target, as the big, physical Bears receiver continues to be highly productive, and is on track for anther 1,200+-yard season. The 1-6 Bears probably wouldn’t mind getting rid of their star receiver, as he’s set to be a free agent this offseason.

Of course, the other issue here is price. The Bucs are willing to deal Alterraun Verner and Johnthan Banks, according to La Canfora, though it remains unclear as to why teams would want them, exactly. The Bucs would have to give up some draft picks, probably, but then that would also mean mortgaging the future to some extent.